Ms. Kang said the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes the measures taken by the government of Guinea to build the national human rights protection system.

It mentions in particular, the creation of a Ministry of Human Rights and Public Liberties, the adoption of legislation reorganizing the security sector and steps to address impunity for past human rights violations.

"Since the release of the report, we are concerned by the scale of violence which erupted between protesters and security forces during an opposition-led march staged on 27th February 2013 over the upcoming legislative elections and the subsequent clashes between the Peul and Malinke communities. We strongly condemn the targeting of people and property on the basis of their ethnicity and the disproportionate use of force by security forces. We call on the authorities to protect civilians." (34")

Kyung-Wha Kang said the authorities in Guinea are also urged to ensure that those responsible for the human rights violations are held accountable.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is also appealing to all parties in the country to refrain from resorting to violence and to use non-violent means to resolve disputes.